Printed proof dryer



y 16, 1967 M; F. LAGNESE 3,319,355

PRINTED PROOF DRYER Filed Feb. 12, 1965 Z FIG. 2

lllu.

INVENTOR. MICHAEL F. LAGNESE HIS ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,319,355PRINTED PROOF DRYER Michael F. Lagnese, 2490 Chatham Park Drive,Pittsburgh, Pa. 15220 Filed Feb. 12, 1965, Ser. No. 432,266 2 Claims.(Cl. 34-162) This invention relates to printed proof dryers and moreparticularly to a dryer having a heated chamber through which individualprinted proofs are conveyed for drying.

In print shops, customer proofs are often run from type which has beenset in order to check the layout, quality, and other features of the jobwhich will be produced by the type. These proofs must be inspected andhandled for review. Since the customer proofs, when printed, are usuallywet from the ink imparted thereto, various means have been utilized inprint shops to dry the proofs so that they may be handled and inspected.

The conventional type of printed proof dryer most prevalent in printshops is formed of a series of wire baskets arranged in drawer-likefashion with a source of heated air at the bottom. The heated air iscaused to pass upwardly through the drawer-type baskets to dry printswhich have been placed within the wire baskets.

The use of the conventional proof dryers has proved unsatisfactory inthat the drying requires an excessive amount of time and, even whensufficient time is permitted, portions of the proof are often not dry.This is primarily for the reason that the proofs are not evenly exposedto the drying medium or the rapid drying is accompanied by color changesin the ink.

The present invention is directed to a proof dryer in which a heatedchamber is provided. The heated chamber has a conveyor system arrangednear the top thereof so that individual proofs may be secured to theconveyor and conveyed through the heated chamber. The proofs areconveyed slowly through the heated chamber, one at a time, so that theyare uniformly exposed to the heated atmosphere Which accelerates dryingof the ink on the proofs. Once the proofs pass through the heatedchamber, they are stacked in an end of the proof dryer until they arepicked up for use.

The stacking feature of the proof dryer is novel in that a dockingsurface is provided within the heated chamber of the dryer. The dockingsurface serves to catch the printed proofs as the conveyor moves themover the docking surface until the printed proofs are automaticallyremoved from the conveyor.

The printed proof dryer of the present invention permits uniform andeven exposure of the proofs to a drying medium. It also speeds thedrying process since the proof passes through the dryer in approximatelyfour (4) minutes and is ready for use.

With the foregoing considerations in mind, it is an object of thepresent invention to provide a proof dryer which effectively driesprinted proofs in a relatively short time.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a printed proofdryer in which the printed proofs move slowly through a heated chamberso that they are uniformly exposed to a drying medium.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a printed proofdryer in which the printed proofs pass through a heated chamber and areautomatically stacked for retrieval after passing therethrough.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a printed proofdryer in which a novel conveyor system moves the printed proofs throughthe drying chamber.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent asthis description proceeds in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional elevation of the printed proof dryer of thepresent invention taken along line 11 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 2 is an end sectional elevation taken along line 2--2 of FIGURE1.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of one of the paper clamps utilized inthe present invention.

Referring to the drawings, a proof dryer 10 is formed with a heatedchamber 12. The heated chamber is within a cabinet-like structure havinga front end wall 14, a rear end wall 16, a top wall 18, a bottom wall20, and side walls 22. The walls of the heated chamber 12 are formed ofmaterial which is insulated to retard the passage of heat therethrough.The interior surfaces of each of the walls 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 mayalso be polished or otherwise treated to provide heat reflectingsurfaces.

A plurality of infra-red tubes 24 are mounted near the bottom wall 20 ofthe heated chamber 12 as is shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. The infra-redtubes are connected to a source of electrical power (not shown) toprovide heat energy for the heated chamber 12. Passing through thebottom wall 20 of heated chamber 12, a conduit 26 is connected to asource of air under pressure (not shown) so that said air under pressureis admitted into heated chamber 12 below the infra-red tubes 24. The airunder pres-sure then passes upwardly around tubes 24 and circulateswithin heated chamber 12 to provide a drying medium for the heatedchamber.

An entrance port 28 is formed in the front end wall 14 of the heatedchamber 12. A door 30 is utilized to close the entrance port 28 when theport 28 is not being utilized to insert printed proofs into the heatedchamber 12.

An exit port 32 is formed in the rear end wall 16 and is closed by adoor 34. The door 34 is utilized to remove printed proofs after theyhave been dried.

A conveyor is installed in the top portion of the heated chamber 12 andis indicated generally at 36. The conveyor has two (2) conveyor chains38 which pass around drive sprockets 40 and idler sprockets 42.

The idler sprockets 42 are fixed upon an idler shaft 44 which isjournaled for rotation within the end walls 22 of the heated chamber.The drive sprockets 40 are fixed on a drive shaft 46 which is alsojournaled for rotation within the end walls 22 of the heated chamber 12.The sprockets 40 and 42 are each fixed near the ends of their respectiveshafts so that the two (2) conveyor chains 38 are located adjacent therespective end walls 22.

The drive shaft 46 extends through one of the end walls 22 as is bestshown in FIGURE 2, and the drive shaft 46 is driven through a drivetrain 48 from a motor 50. The specific drive train and motor form nopart of the present invention except that the drive train must be suchthat the conveyor chains 38 will move along at a linear speed of betweenone-half (V2) foot per minute and one (1) foot per minute.

A series of conveyor flights 52, best shown in FIGURE 2, are fixed tothe two (2) conveyor chains 38 so that the conveyor flights aresupported between the chains. Each conveyor flight 52 has two 2) hooks54 fixed thereto. The hooks have a generally flat portion 54a turnedupwardly at a small angle asis best seen in FIGURE 1 so that eyes mayslip readily onto and off from the hooks 54.

A number of paper clamps 56, best shown in FIGURE 3, are utilized withthe printed proof dryer of the present invention. The paper clamps 56have a pair of paper holding members 58 which are spring-biased towardeach other in conventional fashion. The one member 58 of each clamp 56has a pair of eyes 60 fixed thereto and extending upwardly therefrom asshown in FIGURE 3.

Formed in end wall 16 is a docking surface 62 which is so positionedbelow the conveyor chains 38 that as the proofs pass through the heatedchamber, they come into contact with docking surface 62. The proofs arethen slowly conveyed over the surface 62 until they are automaticallyremoved from the conveyor chain as will hereinafter be more fullydescribed.

A plurality of printed proofs 64 are shown in FIGURES 1 and 2.

In operation, the printed proof dryer has the conveyor 36 operatingconstantly. The conveyor 36 moves at a constant speed of approximatelyone (1) linear foot per minute.

The heated chamber 12 is maintained at a temperature between 310 and 325Fahrenheit. Air under pressure is admitted to the chamber from theconduit 26.

When it is desired to dry a proof or other paper having wet ink thereonfor use, the proof 64 is clamped between the members 58 of a paper clamp56. The paper clamp 56 is then positioned on the conveyor 36 by placingthe eyes 60 of the paper clamp 56 over the hooks 54 depending from theconveyor flights 52. Since the chains 38 of the conveyor 36 move slowly(one (1) foot per minute or less), no difficulty is encountered inplacing the eyes 60 over the hooks 54. The proof is placed in the heatedchamber through entrance port 28 by opening door 30.

The individual proof 64 is carried by the conveyor chains 38 through theheated chamber 12 until it reaches the docking surface 62. When theproof reaches the surface 62, it is dragged up thereon to the positionof the proofs shown in FIGURE 1 aligned upon the docking surface 62.Once the flight 52 to which the individual proof 64 has reached thedrive sprockets 40, that flight begins to move upwardly around thesprockets thereby causing the flat part 5411 of books 54 to assume avertical position. As the hooks move around the sprockets 40, they slipfrom the eyes 60 of the individual paper clamp 56. Accordingly, theproofs are left upon the docking surface 62.

The proofs may be removed from the heated chamber by opening the door 34in end wall 16 and removing the proofs through exit port 32. The door 36in the end wall is maintained in a semi-closed position while the proofsare being dried so that some air may escape from the chamber 12 carryingmoisture therewith.

In actual practice, I find that a cabinet of the type described with aheated chamber 12 therein should be between three (3) and four (4) feetin length. This heated chamber permits the proofs to be suflicientlydried since passage therethrough requires approximately four (4)minutes.

Because of the manner in which the individual proofs 64 are suspended onthe conveyor 36 in spaced fashion, the proofs are evenly exposed to thedrying medium and are thoroughly dried thereby. The proof dryer does notrequire constant attention nor does it require a fulltime operator. Theproofs may be inserted at one end of the dryer and pass therethrough andare automatically stacked upon emerging from the heated chamber. Whenrequired, the proofs are removed from the docking surface 62 which docksthe proofs after they have passed through the drying medium.

According to the provisions of the patent statutes, 1 have explained theprinciple, preferred construction and mode of operation of my inventionand have illustrated and described what I now consider to represent itsbest embodiment. However, I desire to have it understood that, withinthe scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practicedotherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.

I claim:

1. A printed proof dryer comprising:

(a) a box-like heated chamber having side walls, end walls, a top and abottom, an entrance port formed in an end wall and an exit port formedin an end wall;

(b) conveyor means including a pair of parallel, laterally spacedconveyor chains driven by conveyor sprockets, a plurality of flightsrigidly connecting said chains to each other and extending generallyperpendicular to said chains, said flights each having hooks rigidlyformed thereon to receive paper clamps having mating eyes adapted toreceive said hooks, a motor means to drive said conveyor sprockets, saidconveyor means extending adjacent the top wall of said heated chamber;

(0) a plurality of paper clamps removably attachable to said printedproofs and having eyes formed thereon to fit over said conveyor flighthooks, said clamp eyes fitting over said hooks so that said printedproofs may be suspended below said clamps from said conveyor for transitthrough said heated chamber; and

(d) a docking surface lying in a plane generally parallel to said heatedchamber top wall and in proximity to the bottom flight of said conveyor,said docking surface so positioned that as said proofs come into contactwith said docking surface and said conveyor chains progress, said proofsare removed from said conveyor hooks as said hooks begin to move in avertical direction and are deposited upon said docking surface by motionof said conveyor means.

2. A printed proof dryer comprising:

(a) a box-like heated chamber having side walls, end walls, a top and abottom, an entrance port formed in an end wall and an exit port formedin an end wall;

(b) a plurality of heating elements positioned adjacent said heatedchamber bottom and a source of air under pressure being admitted to saidheated chamber below said heating elements to circulate heated airupwardly into said heated chamber;

(0) conveyor means including a pair of parallel, laterally spacedconveyor chains driven by conveyor sprockets, a plurality of flightsrigidly connecting said chains to each other and extending generallyperpendicular to said chains, said flights each having hooks rigidlyformed thereon to receive paper clamps having mating eyes adapted toreceive said hooks, a motor means to drive said conveyor sprockets, saidconveyor means extending adjacent the top wall of said heated chamber;

(d) a plurality of paper clamps removably attachable to said printedproofs and having eyes formed thereon to fit over said conveyor flighthooks, said clamp eyes fitting over said hooks so that said printedproofs may be suspended below said clamps from said conveyor for transitthrough said heated chamber; and

(e) a docking surface lying in a plane generally parallel to said heatedchamber top wall and in proximity to the bottom flight of said conveyor,said docking surface so positioned that as said proofs come into contactwith said docking surface and said conveyor chains progress, said proofsare removed from said conveyor hooks as said hooks begin to move in avertical direction and are deposited upon said docking surface by motionof said conveyor means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 710,467 10/1902Wardle 34162 1,018,586 2/1912 Reno 198177X 1,540,687 6/1925 Feistel etal 34162 X 1,674,407 6/1928 Manker 263-6 2,223,978 12/1940 Dew 21146 X2,282,070 5/1942 Mahannah 34-4 X 2,545,293 3/1951 McGeady 198177 XFOREIGN PATENTS 67,191 4/1865 France. 374,690 4/ 1923 Germany. 312,9996/1930 Great Britain.

FREDERICK L. MATTESON, IR., Primary Examiner.

A. D. HERRMANN, Assistant Examiner.

1. A PRINTED PROOF DRYER COMPRISING: (A) A BOX-LIKE HEATED CHAMBERHAVING SIDE WALLS, END WALLS, A TOP AND A BOTTOM, AN ENTRANCE PORTFORMED IN AN END WALL AND AN EXIT PORT FORMED IN AN END WALL; (B)CONVEYOR MEANS INCLUDING A PAIR OF PARALLEL, LATERALLY SPACED CONVEYORCHAINS DRIVEN BY CONVEYOR SPROCKETS, A PLURALITY OF FLIGHTS RIGIDLYCONNECTING SAID CHAINS TO EACH OTHER AND EXTENDING GENERALLYPERPENDICULAR TO SAID CHAINS, SAID FLIGHTS EACH HAVING HOOKS RIGIDLYFORMED THEREON TO RECEIVE PAPER CLAMPS HAVING MATING EYES ADAPTED TORECEIVE SAID HOOKS, A MOTOR MEANS TO DRIVE SAID CONVEYOR SPROCKETS, SAIDCONVEYOR MEANS EXTENDING ADJACENT THE TOP WALL OF SAID HEATED CHAMBER;(C) A PLURALITY OF PAPER CLAMPS REMOVABLY ATTACHABLE TO SAID PRINTEDPROOFS AND HAVING EYES FORMED THEREON TO FIT OVER SAID CONVEYOR FLIGHTHOOKS, SAID CLAMP EYES FITTING OVER SAID HOOKS SO THAT SAID PRINTEDPROOFS MAY BE SUSPENDED BELOW SAID CLAMPS FROM SAID CONVEYOR FOR TRANSITTHROUGH SAID HEATED CHAMBER; AND (D) A DOCKING SURFACE LYING IN A PLANEGENERALLY PARALLEL TO SAID HEATED CHAMBER TOP WALL AND IN PROXIMITY TOTHE BOTTOM FLIGHT OF SAID CONVEYOR, SAID DOCKING SURFACE SO POSITIONEDTHAT AS SAID PROOFS COME INTO CONTACT WITH SAID DOCKING SURFACE AND SAIDCONVEYOR CHAINS PROGRESS, SAID PROOFS ARE REMOVED FROM SAID CONVEYORHOOKS AS SAID HOOKS BEGIN TO MOVE IN A VERTICAL DIRECTION AND AREDEPOSITED UPON SAID DOCKING SURFACE BY MOTION OF SAID CONVEYOR MEANS.